Niners Unite...around Babylon 5!

[aladinsane]

Re: B5

"Knives"
--Londo goes to bat for an old friend being "taken care of" by the Centauri govn't. Nice to see Londo do the right thing once in a while; however, I still can't bring myself to like him anymore.
--Sheridan is haunted by visions given to him by an alien--this plot was pretty weak.
--Londo's friend, Urza, challenges Londo to a duel, where he lets Londo kill him to save his family's honor.

I like the Londo story; I don't like the Sheridan one. 3/5

 

[aladinsane]

Re: B5

"Confessions & Lamentations"
--Marcab (sp?) are suffering from a plague that is 100% contagious and 100% fatal. There is a stigma attached to it so no one will admit to having it or even acknowledge its existance.
--When Franklin figures out what's going on he creates a quarantine on B5. Panic ensues.
--All die before Stephen can come up with a cure.
--Delenn & Lenier show what a giving beings they are by helping comfort those in the quarantine.
--Sheridan experiences a Minbari meal--poor guy.
--Sheridan and Delenn seem to grow closer.

This is a great episode. Perhaps a bit of an AIDS allegory? 5/5

 

[BigFoot]

Re: B5

Well I watched two eps tonight, so here are my reviews:


Knives

This is a decent ep, but that's about it. It doesn't really work all that much for me. I do have to say it was nice seeing Jacob Carter ... I mean Carmen Argenziano in a different role. But yeah, the plot is fairly predictable and not all that interesting.
And I did not care at all for the B plot. That was just... meh.
C


Confessions and Lamentations

Now this is a much better episode. I remember the first time I saw this ep, I really expected a happy ending where most of the Marcab survive. I was so shocked at the ending, with Delenn and Lennier being the only two survivors. It was just very.... un-Trek like.
I also really liked all the bits with Sheridan and Delenn. Those two definately seem to be getting more friendly.
Overall, this is a great ep. But honestly, if it wasn't for the shocking ending it wouldn't be (I'd probably give it a B).
A-

 

[Orac Zen]

Re: B5

I was wondering if this thing was still on. Good to see another post here, BigFoot.


Anyway, since it's Sunday here I'm going to post my ramblings about the last four episodes of season 2 now. If you're a newbie and haven't seen the eps yet, feel free to skip this post and the next. Heck, feel free to skip them anyway.

Divided Loyalties

A few things are resolved here, most notably the Ivanova / Winters situation and Winters herself. I never liked the character but as demises go this is pretty unpleasant. Winters was starting to question Psi Corps and had the potential to be helpful in the struggle against the things happening on Earth. Still, we get Lyta back so that's a definite plus. Mind you, it's apparently a very small universe – Lyta and Winters knew each other way back when. How convenient.

A few more puzzle pieces are scattered about, especially where Sheridan and Delenn are concerned. There's also confirmation of Ivanova's status as a latent telepath, which along with her mother's experiences with PsiCorps does much to explain her antipathy toward them.

Another pretty good episode.


The Long, Twilight Struggle

This is another marvellous episode in which a lot of things happen.

Mollari finally starts to realise what he's let himself in for. He realises his allies are more powerful and out of his control than he'd ever anticipated...yet he remains so blinded by his desire to see the Centauri return to his idea of their "rightful place" that he goes ahead anyway, regardless of his doubts and his discomfort with Refa's use of mass drivers. The scene where Mollari watches Narn being carved up is extraordinary. The scene where he makes his demands in front of the council is remarkable in its display of his arrogance and that of his people. Even more remarkable is Andreas Katsulas's performance in that same scene. Contrast G'Kar's quite dignity with Mollari's arrogant bombast. Absolutely fantastic stuff.

Something else takes a few more steps forward, too. And Sheridan finally learns of some of the allies he'll have in the forthcoming struggle G'Kar and others have been talking about all season. It's a terrific episode that really moves events along. Now things start to get really interesting.

 

[Orac Zen]

Re: B5

Comes the Inquisitor

After all the drama of the past few episodes this is a bit of a tangent, but no less relevant for that. It mostly pushes the Delenn / Sheridan friendship along a bit more, but also makes it clear they're both made of the right stuff to deal with what lies ahead – the "big war" that's approaching.

"Who are you?" We've heard this question before. Note that it's an agent for the Vorlons who asks this question. Another question we've heard before is "What do you want?" Note that it's an agent for the Shadows who asks that. They're interesting questions, and it's even more interesting to speculate as to why those particular races ask them....

Of course the episode also provides the umpteenth theory as to Jack the Ripper's identity, but that's neither here nor there. Wayne Alexander will turn up again.

G'Kar learns that even though things are grim for his people he has allies. This is another crucial step on the path he's taken. His position as leader of his people on the station is confirmed – a good thing for all concerned.

The other big highlight of the episode for me is the Vir / G'Kar scene. Unlike Mollari, Vir listens to his conscience. His attempt to apologise for what's happening is summarily rejected by G'Kar in an emphatic and very powerful way. The fact Vir makes the effort in spite of his very obvious fears says a lot for him.

More terrific stuff.


The Fall of Night

And so the season ends on a remarkable note.

"We're trying to stabilise the region"; "We are merely establishing a presence" – classic excuses to justify the unjustifiable. G'Kar was right – the Centauri were never going to stop at just the Narn home world, and Mollari's bluster can't hide the reality.

Other realities include Earth's refusal to get involved in dealing with the Centauri problem, Lantz's refusal to met with G'Kar and his Chamberlain-style "peace in our time" attitude (clearly as doomed to failure as the original version), Welles' attempts to involve the upper echelons of the station in the Nightwatch, the predictable fate of the Narn vessel, Sheridan openly questioning his place in EarthForce, the intransigence of Mollari and Lantz... Lots of things happening here.

Keffer's no great loss (as I recall JMS sort of had the character foisted on him and consequently wasn't much interested in him), but the Shadows are now known to all.

We finally see Kosh – or perhaps what Kosh wants us to believe he is, given each race sees something different. How fascinating that Mollari sees nothing.

Ivanova's voiceover at the end sums everything up brilliantly, and gives a bit of foreshadowing as to what lies ahead. "Because sometimes peace is another word for surrender...and because secrets have a way of getting out."

And to think the show only gets better from here.

 

[eastman23]

Re: B5

Orac Zen said:
And to think the show only gets better from here.

Until the first half of season 5 at any rate.

A few general comments:
-Can't say I liked Talia, so no big loss that she's gone. Lyta is far better... again, until season 5.
-There's a few moments in "Long Twilight Struggle" and "Fall of Night" when you can see Londo's hesitation and almost regret about what's happened, but he has to continue on because there's no other choice.
-Vir is less the bumbling assistant now. :thumbsup:

 

[OmahaStar]

Re: B5

Confessions and Lamentations

Boy, when JMS wants to make a point, he doesn't do it small, does he?

The Markab race believes itself to be "holy". Long ago, on an island rarely visited, the inhabitants died. A visit some time after revealed they had been killed by some kind of virus. The Markab believed those on the island were killed because they were unclean or less than holy.

Now that virus is loose. It has a 100% fatality rate. One a Markab has it, they're dead within 24 hours. And it's on the station.

A long time viewer may note there have only been a handful of children (less than that, really) who have appeared on the show. Each time, they bite it. Shon, in "Believers", and the Markab girl here ... Parents, don't bring your kids along on visits to the station. But if you do, buy extra insurance.

Side note - The Markab Doctor who is such good friends with Franklin is played by Jim Norton, who previously played Wellington, the Judge (well, Ombuds) in 2 episodes.

4/5 stars (gave it an extra point cuz Jane was in it!)

 

[OmahaStar]

Re: B5

Knives

Sam Carter's dad shows up on the station and tries to kill Londo.

*trying to think up something good about this episode*

Um ... yeah. It's definately a "filler" episode, not one of the better ones. Even Carmen Argenziano (aka Jacob Carter on StarGate) going completely over the top with his accents can't make it more watchable. I'm sorry, just very blah for me

1/5 stars

 

[OmahaStar]

Re: B5

Divided Loyalties

Ho. Lee. Shiiiiiit!

Lyta (from The Gathering, the station's first telepath) returns, with a message: someone on the station is betraying them, and whoever it is, they don't know they've done it!

As will become typical for Lyta, they're all really nice to her when they need something from her, but the second they don't need her, they throw her away like last month's garbage. (locking her up in "protective custody" like that means anything)

This episode is the result of Andrea Thompson's request to leave the show. She felt her role of Talia wasn't getting enough screentime, so she wanted out. She was convinced to stay long enough for this.

It's interesting to see how quickly she and Susan became a couple. It seems to have come out of nowhere just in the last few episodes, but it was planned from the start.

A recent interview with Pat Tallman (Lyta) was aired as part of the Babylon Podcast, in which Pat says one of the first things JMS asked her was whether she'd be comfortable playing a bisexual or lesbian character. She said she'd have no problem, and right away, she got cast as Lyta. (again, this is for the pilot, years before this episode aired!)

Lyta continues her relationship with Kosh in this episode, and foreshadows something we'll see in the season finale, only a few episodes later.

5/5 stars for this gem!

 

[OmahaStar]

Re: B5

The Long, Twilight Struggle

This episode builds on everything we've seen before, and explodes from there!

G'Kar's uncle, G'Sten, is a warleader, commanding his own Narn ship. He, and everyone else he can find, plans to take out a Centauri supply center, which would do some major damage to their enemies.

They are under the belief that no one knows of their plans. Unfortunately, and tragically, they are dead wrong.

Londo's allies, the Shadows, attack the Narn, wiping out the fleet.

At the same time, Lord Refa's fleet attacks the Narn homeworld, capturing it without any planetary defenses. The Narn are wiped out on two fronts. In the end, G'Kar asks for sanctuary on Babylon 5. He asks for it, but he was forced to do so by what remains of his government.

And while all this is going on, and old friend pops in (literally) to visit Delenn, as well as Sheridan. Draal's back. Well, he hasn't actually been gone, just down under the planet.

*** Draal is played here by John Schuck. The character was originally played by Louis Turenne. Louis was supposed to come back, but fell ill, and was replaced, which caused the line about "I've been given back my appearance of 30 years ago" ... Louis WILL be back, but not as Draal. A new character was created specifically for him, and we'll see him again next season ***

Now, there's something remarkable about the end of this episode, which I've never been able to forget. I saw it first when it aired over a decade ago, but it still gives me the chills. It's at the end, when Sheridan and Delenn have left the planet. Draal is standing there, alone in the room, and says ... "Zathras! Zathras! Never around when he’s needed."

If you hadn't seen "Babylon Squared" in the first season, that one line wouldn't have meant squat. If you HAD seen it (incidently, ALSO the 20th episode of the season), and remembered that character, whole new layers would have just opened up in front of you.

Love it! looooove it!

5/5 stars!

 

[Sci]

Re: B5

I'd just like to add a quick note to this very fun-to-read discussion:

Someone above said that General Hague, the character played by Robert Foxworth, and Admiral Leyton, whom Foxworth played on DS9, were similar characters.

I couldn't disagree more. General Hague was a guy who recognized that his government was becoming increasingly tyrannical and acted to preserve the freedom of the Earth Alliance. Admiral Leyton, on the other hand, was a guy who attempted to turn his government into a military dictatorship, with himself at the helm.

Really, the only thing they have in common is that they're flag officers who went against their governments. But the similarity ends there; really, Leyton could be more accurately compared to President Clark.

 

[Fist McStrongpunch]

Re: B5

Leyton is Mirror-Hague.

 

[OmahaStar]

Re: B5

Based on the PMs I've received, I've got the schedule ready for season 3. I'll post that after the remaining two reviews ...

Comes the Inquisitor

In a reversal of the norm, the "b" story is the big, galactic story, while the "a" story is a tight, 3-person drama.

The B story - The Narns still living on the station are trying to buy weapons. In fact, many of them are the very weapons the Narns sold to Earth during the Earth-Minbari war. Because of the high cost, and the lack of any contact with those still on the homeworld, they are not so trusting of G'Kar. In fact, they want him to step aside and let someone else be their leader on the station.

G'Kar makes a deal: if he can get word from their families, they will accept him without question. They agree ... And with the help of Sheridan and the Rangers, G'Kar gets that message from the homeworld.

The A story - powerfully moving, and "stage" theatrical in its presentation. Kosh is uncertain whether Delenn is the right person to lead the fight against the Shadows in the coming war. He has called in the Inquisitor, a man ripped from time with only one mission.

He repeatedly asks "Who are you?" for which there is no correct answer. At least, to the Vorlons. It is interesting to note the Vorlons are not asked that same question in return.

Eventually, it comes down to Sheridan and Delenn, both willing to die - alone, unremarked - for the other, that makes the Inquisitor understand they are the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

***

Wayne Alexander plays Sebastian, the Inquisitor. He will return often, in various roles (Narn, Drazi, among others), and the acting he does here is simply breathtaking.

Joshua Cox, who plays David Corwin ... Just gotta say, whoever is doing his hair and makeup starting with this episode ... well, they deserve an award, cuz he's never looked hotter. Rawr!

And finally, Michael Vejar is the director of this episode. I normally don't comment on the directing of the show, because, well, it's pretty straightforward. But not here. New angles, moving the cam around, focusing on things we've never seen before, new styles of blocking .. Every frame was unique and perfect.

5/5 stars!

 

[OmahaStar]

Re: B5

The Fall of Night

There is one major plot through the episode, and lots of tiny little ones.

In the main plot, the Narn-Centauri war is heating up. A Narn heavy cruiser shows up, asking for help with repairs.

Earth has sent a negotiator to decide whether to sign a non-agression treaty with the Centauri or the Narn. He's decided they must side with the Centauri. As such, as soon as he finds out Sheridan is helping out a Narn ship, he goes postal.

His assistant, Mr. Welles, is the head of the NightWatch. The actor who plays him also plays Neroon.

<font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre>Mr. Welles only appears in this one episode of Babylon 5, but he does show up for an episode of Crusade</pre><hr />

Lt. Keffer returns to searching for The Ghost, the black shadow-like creatures in HyperSpace. Unfortunately for him, he finds that ship. And that ship finds him. His "black box" recording is eventually aired on ISN.

After the destruction of a Centauri ship, some Centauri on the station took it upon themselves to take revenge on Captain Sheridan by blowing up the transport he was riding through the Zen Garden.

With a crowd standing around watching Sheridan fall from the exploding transport, Kosh leaves his encounter suit to fly up and rescue the Captain. Everyone sees something according to his type ... Humans (including Sheridan) see an Angel. Drazi see Drushala. Minbari see Valari, etc.

Londo sees nothing. nothing at all.

It was the end of the year 2259, and the war was upon them. And secrets are coming out.

4/5 stars.

 

[OmahaStar]

Season 3 dates

Week 1 - 4/16/06 - Matters of Honor, Convictions, A Day in the Strife, and Passing Through Gethsemane (4 eps)

Week 2 - 4/23/06 - Voices of Authority, Dust to Dust, and Exogenesis (3 eps)

Week 3 - 4/30/06 - Messages From Earth, Point of No Return, Severed Dreams (3 eps)

Week 4 - 5/07/06 - Ceremonies of Light & Dark, Sic Transit Vir, A Late Delivery From Avalon, and Ship of Tears (4 eps)

Week 5 - 5/14/06 - Interludes and Examinations, War Without End parts 1 and 2, and Walkabout (4 eps)

Week 6 - 5/21/06 - Grey 17 is Missing, And the Rock Cried Out No Hiding Place, Shadow Dancing, Z'Ha'Dum (4 eps)

season 4 will start 5/28/06.

 

[Orac Zen]

Re: B5

Steven said:
Until the first half of season 5 at any rate.

[Marge Simpson] "Now let's never speak of it again." [/Marge]

 

[BigFoot]

Re: Season 3 dates

Man, this thread sure came to life after I went to bed, didn't it? It must be sunday, hehe.

OmahaStar said:
Week 3 - 4/30/06 - Messages From Earth, Point of No Return, Severed Dreams (3 eps)

Oh man, week three is gonna kick ass!

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Re: Season 3 dates

OmahaStar said:
Week 1 - 4/16/06 - Matters of Honor, Convictions, A Day in the Strife, and Passing Through Gethsemane (4 eps)

Week 2 - 4/23/06 - Voices of Authority, Dust to Dust, and Exogenesis (3 eps)

Week 3 - 4/30/06 - Messages From Earth, Point of No Return, Severed Dreams (3 eps)

Week 4 - 5/07/06 - Ceremonies of Light & Dark, Sic Transit Vir, A Late Delivery From Avalon, and Ship of Tears (4 eps)

Week 5 - 5/14/06 - Interludes and Examinations, War Without End parts 1 and 2, and Walkabout (4 eps)

Week 6 - 5/21/06 - Grey 17 is Missing, And the Rock Cried Out No Hiding Place, Shadow Dancing, Z'Ha'Dum (4 eps)

season 4 will start 5/28/06.

Wow! Quite a schedule!

Season 3 is my favorite season.

 

[OmahaStar]

Re: Season 3 dates

PKTrekGirl said:

OmahaStar said:
Week 1 - 4/16/06 - Matters of Honor, Convictions, A Day in the Strife, and Passing Through Gethsemane (4 eps)

Week 2 - 4/23/06 - Voices of Authority, Dust to Dust, and Exogenesis (3 eps)

Week 3 - 4/30/06 - Messages From Earth, Point of No Return, Severed Dreams (3 eps)

Week 4 - 5/07/06 - Ceremonies of Light & Dark, Sic Transit Vir, A Late Delivery From Avalon, and Ship of Tears (4 eps)

Week 5 - 5/14/06 - Interludes and Examinations, War Without End parts 1 and 2, and Walkabout (4 eps)

Week 6 - 5/21/06 - Grey 17 is Missing, And the Rock Cried Out No Hiding Place, Shadow Dancing, Z'Ha'Dum (4 eps)

season 4 will start 5/28/06.

Wow! Quite a schedule!

Season 3 is my favorite season.

Oh, crap ... Ok, the week groupings are correct, but season 3 actually starts this coming Sunday the 23rd. This week is the last 4 of season 2. Sorry about that!

 

[BigFoot]

Re: Season 3 dates

Divided Loyalties

Yay, Talia is gone! There's three things about this ep that I really like:
1) we finally get rid of Talia
2) we get to see Lyta again
3) Susan telling John the truth about being a telepath

Otherwise the ep is just... alright. Nothing special really, but still quite decent.
B



The Long, Twilight Struggle

Wow, this is definately my favourite episode of the show so far. It is just absolutely brilliant.
It actually starts of a bit slow. And then it picks up. First with the Narn ships getting massacred. Then with the Centauri attacking the Narn homeworld. The scene with Londo on the bridge of one of their ships is a classic.
Then we get the little bit with Draal calling for Zathras... it's a small thing you might even miss the first time you watch the show. But if you don't... wow!

And then we get to the REALLY good bits. The scene with G'Kar asks Sheridan for sanctuary tears me up every time. G'Kar is such a proud man... and for him to do that, well let's just say it's an amazing scene.

Now we get to my favourite part in the council room. First with Londo telling everyone about the surrender and the terms of it. And then that amazing speech by G'Kar. I've said this before, and I'll say it again. G'Kar has some of the best speeches on any sci-fi show ever. And Andreas Katsulas delivers them flawlessly. I hope no one minds if I post a quote of that speech.

No dictator... no invader... can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever. There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom. Against that power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand. The Centauri learned this lesson once. We will teach it to them again. Though it take a thousand years, we will be free.

The last bit of the episode isn't too shabby either. With Delenn telling Sheridan about the Rangers and all that.
So yeah, this is one of the best sci-fi eps of all time IMO. I cannot praise it enough.
A+